HAMMOND -- Southeastern Louisiana University's athletic building was officially named the "Dugas Center for Southeastern Athletics" in ceremonies held on the campus Friday afternoon.
Unveiling a rendering of the building's refurbished facade, Southeastern President Randy Moffett and University of Louisiana System President Sally Clausen recognized contributions of the family to enhancing the
university's overall athletic program and helping to reinstate football.
In attendance were Manuel and Wayne Dugas, both Southeastern graduates who played football for the Lions in the 1950s.
In a tribute to the family, Clausen - a former president of Southeastern - noted that the late Horace Dugas had instilled in the family a spirit of public service and giving. He served several terms as a state representative from St. Charles Parish and also served on the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission and the State Highway Board.
Manuel Dugas, a retired businessman currently residing in Boutte, contributed to Southeastern's program and recruited others to donate to the campaign. In addition, he established an endowed scholarship at Southeastern for a student-athlete majoring in business. Wayne Dugas, a retired executive with Dollar General Corp., was Southeastern's most valuable player on the 1957 football team.
His contribution was made through his private foundation, the Laura Jo and Wayne Dugas Family Foundation.
Clausen recalled that one of the first questions she received as president at the university was "When are you bringing back football?" She noted that academic and building priorities had to take precedence because of the rapid growth in enrollment the university had experienced. Once those were met, she said, she turned her full attention to enhancing the athletic
program.
Moffett said Southeastern instituted an extension of its Commitment to Excellence fund raising campaign with a goal of raising $5 million in private funds to enhance the overall athletic program, address gender equity issues, and reinstate football. The goal was surpassed within a 12-month period, and the Lions' football team took to the field last year for the first time in 18 years.
"When we set out to raise additional funds for athletics, it was not just to return football; we wanted to enhance the program as a whole," Moffett said. "Just as we strive for excellence in academics, we wanted to see our athletic program improve in quality as well. And that has certainly happened."
He noted the steady improvement in athletics at Southeastern. In addition to launching football - in which the Lions led the I-AA in attendance per capacity last year, attracting 56,000 fans - he noted that last year men's basketball team earned a share of the Southland Conference Championship and Coach Billy Kennedy garnered four coach of the year honors.
Women's basketball earned its first-ever win in a Southland Conference tournament game and advanced to the semi-finals, and the soccer team won consecutive conference championships in 2002-2003.
He cited accomplishments of other teams as well, and noted that a number of Southeastern athletes earned "newcomer of the year" and "player of the year" honors.
Athletic Director Frank Pergolizzi pointed to the academic success of Southeastern student-athletes, in which 11 student-athletes had perfect 4.0 grade point averages, and 100 others had GPAs of 3.0 or better. In
addition, 64 Southeastern athletes were named to the Commissioner's Honor Roll, the highest number of any school in the Southland Conference.
Pergolizzi said some of the funds raised in the campaign were used in the refurbishment of the athletic building. Improvements included a renovated
football locker room and coaches offices, new meeting space, and a new baseball locker room and coaches offices.
